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50 Ways to Save on Health Care

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Even with good insurance from your employer, you're most likely paying a larger share of your medical expenses than in the past -- $11,600 for the average family in 2017, according to the Milliman Medical Index. A growing portion of that cost accrues during the year, from deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance -- which now account for $4,534 of the average family's expenses. The median deductible for in-network care charged by large employers is $1,300 for employee-only coverage and $3,000 for families, according to the National Business Group on Health.

Particularly now, when many workers are re-upping benefits choices during open enrollment, there are plenty of moves you can make to take charge of your health care costs and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. Insurers and employers are offering more tools and resources to make it easier to compare costs for tests, procedures and drugs.

Whether you get insurance from your employer, via Medicare or on your own through the insurance marketplaces, these strategies will help you save.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 2 of 51

Save Hundreds of Dollars on X-Rays and Tests

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Some facilities charge hundreds of dollars more for x-rays and tests than competing providers. "I've seen people get charged $500 for an x-ray that should be about $30. It happens all the time," says Jeffrey Rice, CEO of Healthcare Bluebook, which compares prices using a nationwide database of medical payments. Independent radiology centers often charge less than hospitals, even though the same radiologist may be reading the x-rays. "It's common for the radiologist to be in one building in the morning and another in the afternoon," says Rice. "It's the same radiologist, but one MRI costs $500 and another is $3,000."

HealthcareBluebook.com shows the price range by zip code for thousands of procedures and the "fair price," which is a reasonable amount you can expect to pay for the procedure in your area. For example, a knee MRI in Chicago ranges from $650 to $4,200, and Healthcare Bluebook recommends a fair price of $1,183.

Ask about costs before you have the test, and ask your doctor about alternatives if the facility charges more than the fair price. "When you call to ask about price, the places with the good price will tell you the price right away, and the places with the bad prices say they need more information and need to call you back," says Rice.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 3 of 51

Ask Doctors About Alternative Facilities

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A similar strategy can work with some types of surgery and other procedures, and you don't have to switch doctors. Many surgeons work in several different facilities -- such as a hospital and a stand-alone surgery center -- and get paid the same amount no matter where they work. But the facility drives the cost, and the difference can be significant. The cost of arthroscopic knee surgery in Chicago ranges from $1,887 to $23,935, with a fair price of $6,425, according to Healthcare Bluebook. Check the facility's price before you get care, and look up the fair price. If the facility is charging way too much, get back in touch with your doctor and ask about a lower-cost option that won't reduce the quality of care.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 4 of 51

Find Out About Preferred Labs

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Doctors' offices typically have different boxes for lab tests, and if they drop the blood in one box instead of another, "it can change your $50 test into a $500 test," says Rice. See if your health plan has a preferred lab with lower costs.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 5 of 51

Stay in Your Insurer's Network

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It's essential to stay in-network if you have an HMO, which generally doesn't cover out-of-network care except for emergencies. But even if you have a PPO, which includes some coverage for out-of-network providers, it can still be expensive to leave your insurer's network. You'll generally have to pay a higher deductible (sometimes double the in-network deductible), and you'll have a higher out-of-pocket spending limit. Plus, you'll usually be charged a larger percentage of the costs -- perhaps 20% for in-network care and 40% for out-of-network care. Use your insurer's tools to find in-network providers, and make sure the facility, doctor and anesthesiologist are all in-network before you schedule a procedure.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 6 of 51

Find Lower-Cost Urgent Care

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Sometimes you can't avoid going to the emergency room. But you may be able to get the care you need at an urgent-care center or convenience-care clinic for a fraction of the cost. The average emergency room visit costs $1,757, compared with $153 for an urgent-care center, says Jackie Aube, of health insurer Cigna. And retail health clinics -- such as those in drugstores and supermarkets -- generally cost even less. "Knowing in advance where the nearest in-network urgent-care and retail clinics are can save you a lot of money and time, especially if you have small children," says Aube. Urgent care and retail clinics can be good for fractures, sprains, strep throat, colds and flu, pink eye, ear infections, and rashes, she says.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 7 of 51

Take Advantage of Telehealth

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You may be able to save time and money if you take advantage of virtual visits with a doctor by phone or video chat for common complaints such as sinus problems, upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, allergies, flu and coughs. You can even e-mail a photo of a rash to a doctor for a diagnosis. Access to telehealth is growing quickly: 96% of large employers plan to offer the option in 2018, according to the National Business Group on Health. Visits typically cost about $40, and the typical co-pay is $15 or less (compared with average co-pays of about $50 for urgent care and $150 for an emergency-room visit).

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 8 of 51

Use Your Insurer's Tools to Shop for Better Deals

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Many insurers have tools to help you compare prices at in-network facilities. Cigna, for example, has a mobile app that shows the closest care options and calculates how much you'd pay under your policy. It will even let you know whether you're in the deductible period and will have to pay the full cost, or if you will owe a portion of the charge as coinsurance.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 9 of 51

Ask for a Cash Discount

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Most people don't hit their deductible each year, so they pay the full price their insurer negotiated for care. In that case, it may be worthwhile to ask the provider if you can get a discount for not using your insurance and paying cash. With outpatient imaging and some outpatient surgery, you may be able to get 20% off the insurance rate if you pay cash, says Rice.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 10 of 51

Switch to Generic Drugs

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Generics can cost up to 85% less than brand-name drugs, and some plans have a $0 co-pay for "preferred" generics. Your pharmacist can generally switch to a generic at the counter without asking your doctor. If your drug doesn't have a generic, ask your doctor or pharmacist if one is likely soon.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 11 of 51

Consider Lower-Cost Therapeutic Alternatives

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You may be able to save money even if your drug doesn’t have a generic equivalent. Ask your doctor if there is a "therapeutic alternative" that treats the same condition but costs less under your plan. "For many health conditions, particularly for things such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, there are often several drugs that do very similar things," says Jon Maesner, chief pharmacy officer for Cigna. The insurer may charge a 35% coinsurance rate for one drug, for example, but just a 20% coinsurance rate for another that's a preferred brand-name drug. Or the other drug may have a generic version that can save you even more money.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 12 of 51

Use a Preferred Pharmacy

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Most Medicare Part D prescription-drug plans -- and many pre-65 health plans -- now include a preferred pharmacy with much lower cost-sharing. The Humana Walmart Part D plan, for example, charges a $1 co-pay for preferred generics at Walmart or Sam's Club but a $10 co-pay at other pharmacies. You'll pay 35% for some brand-name drugs at Walmart and Sam's Club, compared with up to 50% at other pharmacies.

Before picking a plan, make sure the preferred pharmacy you would have to use is convenient. Another option is to search for plans based on the pharmacy you like. For example, Walgreens is the preferred pharmacy for some Aetna, Cigna, Humana, United Healthcare and other Medicare plans.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 13 of 51

Get Your Drugs Through the Mail

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You might save money by using a mail-order pharmacy. The Humana Walmart Part D plan, for example, charges a $0 to $2 co-pay for a 90-day supply of preferred generics, and an $8 co-pay for a 90-day supply of other generics. That compares with a $4 co-pay for a 30-day supply at Walmart and Sam's Club.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 14 of 51

Order a 90-Day Supply

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A 90-day supply of drugs may cost only 2.5 times more than a 30-day supply, says Michael Penca, senior director of Medicare for Walgreens. Also ask your doctor or pharmacist about other options. For example, you may be able to save by switching from two tablets at a lower strength to one tablet at a higher strength.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 15 of 51

Pay for Generics With Cash

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Paying cash for your drugs -- especially some generics -- may cost less than using your insurance. Walmart, for example, offers more than 200 generic drugs for $4, which can be less than your insurer's co-payment -- and much less if you're still paying your deductible. You can compare costs at local and mail-order pharmacies at GoodRx.com and FamilyWize.org.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 16 of 51

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A Walgreens prescription savings club card costs $20 for an individual or $35 for a family each year. It provides discounts on more than 8,000 drugs -- averaging $50 to $118 off the cash price for a 90-day supply of many generics. GoodRx.com and FamilyWize.com also offer discount cards. (Medicare recipients generally are not eligible for drug discount cards.)

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 17 of 51

Save Big With Coupons

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Many drug manufacturers offer coupons that can lower the cost of their drugs by hundreds of dollars. Look up your drug at GoodRx.com or search the drug manufacturer's website; also ask your doctor. Some coupons and programs are not available if you use your insurance. But if you haven't met your deductible, you could pay cash for the drugs using the coupon, then submit the receipt when you are closer to meeting the deductible, says Rice.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 18 of 51

Use Your Insurer's Tools to Compare Drug Costs

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Most employers and insurers, including Cigna, United Healthcare and Humana, have tools and apps to look up drug costs, show you generics and therapeutic alternatives, and let you know how much you'll pay under your plan.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 19 of 51

Get Help From a Co-Pay Assistance Program

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Even if your insurer covers a drug, you may have to pay big out-of-pocket costs -- especially for specialty medications. Many drug manufacturers have co-pay assistance programs to help with the cost of deductibles and coinsurance. These programs generally specify income maximums, but the cutoff can often be as high as 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level (about $65,000 for a couple or $98,000 for a family of four), or even higher for some pricey specialty medications, says Honora Gabriel, vice president of not-for-profit operations at the Lash Group, a division of AmerisourceBergen, which runs pharmacy assistance programs. You can search for these programs on drug manufacturers' websites or at www.needymeds.org.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 21 of 51

Find Out About Patient Support Services

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Some drug manufacturers, nonprofits and advocacy groups offer special programs that do more than help with the cost of medications. "Some offer transportation, or additional resources such as wigs, or help with household bills, groceries and gas," says Gabriel.

Some assistance programs for cancer patients help cover the cost of medications, insurance co-pays, office visits, travel expenses, medical supplies and even child care, says Gabriel. The American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge provides housing for patients in treatment, and its Road to Recovery program has volunteers who drive patients to radiation and chemotherapy appointments.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 22 of 51

Get a Free Consultation With a Pharmacist

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Some insurers and pharmacy benefit plans will cover the cost of a free consultation with a pharmacist each year, says Michael Penca, of Walgreens. The pharmacist can provide a comprehensive review of all of your medications, let you know about therapeutic equivalents or other less-expensive alternatives you can ask your doctor about, and make sure that all your medications are working well with each other.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 23 of 51

Benefit From Specialty Pharmacy Programs for Complex Conditions

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Most health plans have specialty pharmacies for complex conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. You may save money, and you'll work with specially trained nurses and pharmacists who can complete paperwork for coverage and may know about resources for financial support. For medications that must be injected or infused rather than given through a pill, the treatment location -- a hospital outpatient setting, a doctor's office or in some cases your own home -- can make a big difference in the cost, says Cigna's Maesner. The health plan's nurses and pharmacists can help you find a lower-cost, safe setting to have the drug infused.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 24 of 51

Get a Triple Tax Break From a Health Savings Account

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If you have a high-deductible health insurance policy, you can take advantage of a triple tax break: Contribute pretax (or tax-deductible) money to a health savings account, which in turn grows tax-deferred and can be used tax-free in any year for medical expenses.

To qualify, you must have an HSA-eligible health insurance policy with a deductible of at least $1,300 for single coverage in 2017 or $2,600 for family coverage. You can contribute up to $3,400 to the HSA for 2017 if you have single health insurance coverage, or $6,750 for family coverage, plus an extra $1,000 if you're 55 or older. You can use the money for out-of-pocket medical expenses, including deductibles, co-payments, prescription drugs, vision and dental care, and other expenses—either now or in the future -- for yourself and your spouse as well as your tax dependents.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 26 of 51

Keep the HSA Money Growing for Future Expenses

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Unlike a flexible spending account, an HSA doesn't require you to use the money by the end of the year. In fact, you'll get a bigger tax benefit if you use other cash for current medical expenses and keep the HSA money growing for the long term. Hold on to your receipts for medical expenses after you open your HSA, even if you pay those bills with cash, so you can claim the expenses later. There's no time limit for withdrawing the money tax-free for eligible medical expenses you incurred anytime after you opened the account.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 27 of 51

Choose an HSA With Good Long-Term Investing Options

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You can open an HSA with any administrator -- as long as you have an HSA-eligible health insurance policy -- and get a tax deduction for your contributions. If you plan to keep the money growing for the future, look for an HSA administrator that offers a portfolio of mutual funds for long-term investing and has low fees. HSAs are available through many banks, brokerage firms and other financial institutions. You can search for HSA providers at www.hsasearch.com. Also see Morningstar's analysis of HSAs for investors.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 28 of 51

But Weigh the Extra Perks From Your Employer's HSA

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If your employer offers an HSA, it's usually your best bet. You may get an employer match and have access to some plans that aren't available to individuals (Fidelity's HSA is only available through employers). Your contributions will also avoid federal income taxes as well as Social Security payroll taxes (FICA).

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 29 of 51

Watch Out for Common Errors

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Get an itemized bill that breaks down each cost, especially for complex procedures and hospital stays. Make sure you haven't been charged for procedures or items you didn't receive. Don't pay a bill for care you thought was covered until you receive an explanation of benefits from your insurer explaining why your claim was denied. It may be that the provider's office simply input the wrong code.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 30 of 51

Seek Help From an Expert

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A claims specialist can organize your medical bills, spot errors and work with your doctor to build your case if you need to appeal a denial. The cost is typically $75 to $95 per hour. You can find a claims specialist at www.claims.org.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 31 of 51

Read the Emergency Care Rules

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Rather than going to an out-of-network hospital in an emergency and getting unwelcome out-of-network bills, find out which hospitals and urgent-care centers are covered by your plan and how much you'll have to pay, as well as any requirements for prior authorization.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 32 of 51

Get the Right Paperwork for Prescriptions

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Coverage for pricey drugs is often denied because a doctor doesn't complete the required paperwork. Many insurers now require you to get prior authorization (a form your doctor must complete) or use step therapy (in which you must use a less-expensive drug first, if possible) before they'll cover your drug.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 34 of 51

Get Approved for Out-of-Network Coverage Up Front

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If your doctor recommends a specialist who isn't covered by your health plan, ask your insurer what you can do to avoid out-of-network charges -- before you visit that doctor (your insurer may have a care coordinator to help). You may find an in-network provider with similar expertise, or you may be able to work with the doctor or hospital to make the case that you need to use a particular specialist. In that case, the insurer may provide a "network adequacy exception" to cover the doctor for you at in-network prices.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 35 of 51

Find Out Where You Can Get World-Class Care

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More than 80% of employer plans now offer "centers of excellence," which give you access to well-known hospitals outside of your area for certain kinds of care, such as transplants, bariatric surgery, orthopedics, and cardiac and cancer care. For example, some of United Healthcare's policies have a national network that includes major cancer centers, such as MD Anderson and Memorial Sloan Kettering.

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50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs | Slide 36 of 51

Contest the Medicare High-Income Surcharge

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If your adjusted gross income (plus tax-exempt interest income) is more than $85,000 if you're single or $170,000 if you're married filing jointly, you'll have to pay extra for Medicare. The last tax return on file determines your premium. But if your income has dropped since then because of certain life-changing events, such as divorce, death of a spouse or retirement, you can submit Form SSA-44 and ask Social Security to substitute your more recent income. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov or call 800-772-1213.